Brent Hoberman: The Visionary British Entrepreneur Driving Global Innovation
Who Is Brent Hoberman?
Brent Shawzin Hoberman CBE is a British entrepreneur, investor, and one of the most influential figures in Europe’s technology and innovation ecosystem. Born on 25 November 1968 in South Africa, Brent Hoberman’s journey from Cape Town to becoming a driving force behind the UK’s startup landscape is a story of relentless innovation, leadership, and vision. Today, he stands as the Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of Founders Forum Group, Founders Factory, and firstminute capital, having previously co-founded and exited two billion-dollar companies — lastminute.com and Made.com.
Early Life and Education
Brent Hoberman’s early years were shaped by a strong foundation in education and creativity. He attended the Dragon School in Oxford, followed by Eton College, where he was an Oppidan Scholar and member of the Sixth Form Select. He later went on to study Modern Languages and Literature at New College, University of Oxford, earning his Master of Arts degree. His fluency in multiple languages and cultural awareness would later play a pivotal role in his global business ventures.
The Birth of lastminute.com
Brent Hoberman and the Dot-Com Era
In 1998, during the height of the dot-com boom, Brent Hoberman teamed up with Martha Lane Fox to create lastminute.com, an online platform that revolutionised the way people booked holidays, flights, and experiences. The idea was simple yet transformative — to help consumers purchase last-minute deals online, saving both time and money while introducing convenience and flexibility.
Under Hoberman’s leadership as CEO, lastminute.com grew at an astonishing pace. The company achieved over $2 billion in gross bookings, expanded across Europe, and acquired more than a dozen other businesses after its IPO. In 2005, lastminute.com was sold to Sabre Holdings for $1.1 billion, cementing Hoberman’s reputation as one of the most successful entrepreneurs of the digital era.
Made.com: Reinventing Modern Retail
Following his success with lastminute.com, Hoberman ventured into the world of design and e-commerce. In 2010, he co-founded Made.com, a digital furniture and homeware retailer aimed at cutting out the middleman and delivering designer quality at affordable prices. The company was launched as a spin-out from his earlier venture mydeco.com, with Ning Li as CEO.
Made.com quickly became a household name across the UK and Europe, redefining how consumers buy furniture online. The company achieved a valuation of $1.1 billion at its IPO in 2021, though Hoberman had already stepped away from the board before the listing. Despite later challenges in the retail market, Made.com remains a symbol of his forward-thinking business philosophy and ability to spot early digital trends.
Founders Forum Group: A Global Network of Innovators
Brent Hoberman Founders Forum Vision
In 2006, Brent Hoberman co-founded the Founders Forum Group, a global community connecting entrepreneurs, investors, corporate leaders, and policymakers. The group hosts invite-only events that gather the world’s most influential figures in business and technology to discuss how innovation can address era-defining challenges.
The Founders Forum Group is not just a conference organiser; it is a launchpad for multiple service-based companies that support founders at every stage of their journey. Since 2019, it has partnered with Informa Tech to power London Tech Week, the UK’s flagship technology festival, promoting diversity, sustainability, and entrepreneurship through specialised events like ClimateTech, EQL:HER, and HealthTech.
Founders Factory and firstminute capital
Building Startups for the Future
In 2015, Hoberman expanded his entrepreneurial mission by co-founding Founders Factory, a global venture studio and accelerator headquartered in London. The company partners with leading corporates and visionary founders to build, fund, and scale early-stage startups. Founders Factory operates across multiple cities, including New York, Milan, Berlin, and Johannesburg, and is backed by 17 of the world’s largest corporates.
Two years later, in 2017, Hoberman launched firstminute capital, a $500 million AUM seed fund supported by over 130+ unicorn founders and star CEOs, including Sir Richard Branson and Slack’s Cal Henderson. The fund has invested in more than 160 companies globally, cementing Hoberman’s status as one of Europe’s leading early-stage investors. His goal is simple yet powerful — to make firstminute capital Europe’s most helpful seed fund.
Angel Investing and Ecosystem Building
Beyond his headline ventures, Hoberman is an active angel investor and advisor, having backed nine unicorns at the seed stage. His investment portfolio includes leading tech firms such as GetYourGuide, Truecaller, Treatwell, Viagogo, Onfido, Busuu, and Maven Clinic. He also helped create ecosystem platforms and service companies such as:
-
Founders Keepers – executive search firm for tech leadership
-
Founders Intelligence – consultancy acquired by Accenture
-
Founders of the Future – nurturing aspiring entrepreneurs
-
Founders Pledge – philanthropy network for founders
-
EQL:HER – promoting gender equality in tech
-
Founders Law – legal support for startups
-
Founders Makers – creative agency for innovative brands
-
Karakuri – robotics and automation company
Through these ventures, Hoberman has built a multi-layered ecosystem designed to support startups from ideation to IPO, creating one of the most powerful innovation networks in Europe.
Advisory Roles and Public Service
Brent’s influence extends well beyond entrepreneurship. He sits on advisory boards for Google Cloud, The Tessa Jowell Foundation, the UK Government Digital Service, and the World Economic Forum Digital Europe Group. He has also advised four UK Prime Ministers, contributing his expertise on innovation, small business policy, and digital transformation.
He served as Chair of The Royal Foundation Taskforce on the Prevention of Cyberbullying for The Duke of Cambridge, chaired the Oxford Foundry Advisory Board, and held board positions with prestigious organisations including The Economist, The Guardian Media Group, Time Out, TalkTalk, Shazam Entertainment, Eton College, and the Royal Academy of Arts.
Honours and Awards
Brent Hoberman’s achievements have earned him multiple honours and accolades. In 2014, he was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) by Her Majesty The Queen for his services to entrepreneurship. His other distinctions include:
-
Co-Chair of the Business Sector Council for Entrepreneurship, Scale-ups, and Small Business (under Prime Minister Theresa May, 2018)
-
Member of the Business Council for Britain (under Prime Minister Gordon Brown, 2009)
-
Prime Minister’s Business Trade Ambassador
-
Young Global Leader – recognised by the World Economic Forum
These honours underscore his contribution to shaping the UK’s entrepreneurial and innovation landscape.
Brent Hoberman’s Personal Life
Brent Hoberman Wife and Family
Brent Hoberman is married to Genevieve Hoberman, an interior designer, and together they have three children — Jade, Celeste, and Monty. The family resides in London, where Hoberman continues to balance his professional achievements with a strong focus on family life. Interviews often describe him as grounded, reflective, and passionate about nurturing future generations of innovators.
Brent Hoberman Net Worth
Although his net worth is not publicly disclosed, industry estimates place it between £100 million and £150 million, with some sources suggesting higher valuations based on his equity stakes in multiple private technology ventures. His wealth stems primarily from the $1.1 billion sale of lastminute.com, early success with Made.com, and his diversified portfolio of venture investments across technology, media, and innovation sectors.
A Legacy of Innovation and Leadership
At 56 years old, Brent Hoberman remains a central figure in the UK’s entrepreneurial story. His ventures have raised over $1 billion in funding, while his influence continues through hundreds of startups, investment networks, and advisory positions. From revolutionising online travel to building Europe’s most vibrant founder community, Hoberman has proven that great ideas, when backed by passion and purpose, can reshape industries.
FAQs
1. Who is Brent Hoberman?
Brent Hoberman CBE is a British entrepreneur, investor, and ecosystem builder. He co-founded lastminute.com and Made.com, and now serves as Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of Founders Forum Group, Founders Factory, and firstminute capital.
2. How old is Brent Hoberman?
Brent was born on 25 November 1968, making him 56 years old as of 2025.
3. Who is Brent Hoberman’s wife?
Brent is married to Genevieve Hoberman, an interior designer. The couple has three children — Jade, Celeste, and Monty — and lives in London.
4. What is Brent Hoberman’s net worth?
Brent Hoberman’s net worth is estimated between £100 million and £150 million, largely from his tech ventures and investments in early-stage startups.
5. What companies did Brent Hoberman found?
He co-founded lastminute.com (sold for $1.1 billion), Made.com, Founders Forum Group, Founders Factory, and firstminute capital, among several other entrepreneurial and philanthropic ventures.
Conclusion
Brent Hoberman’s legacy is far more than a series of business successes. It is a testament to the power of vision, collaboration, and continuous reinvention. Through Founders Forum, Founders Factory, and firstminute capital, he has empowered a new generation of entrepreneurs to dream bigger, innovate faster, and create lasting impact. His journey — from the dot-com boom of lastminute.com to the modern ecosystem of global venture building — embodies the evolution of British entrepreneurship in the 21st century.
